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News

Three Year 12 students choose a different path and celebrate end of schooling

Three students from our graduating class of 2018, Emma Belgraver, Jessica Priebbenow and Kayla Trezona, will join 12 school leavers from across Australia to mark the end of their schooling journey with a week of volunteering in Cambodia.

The tour group departs Australia on November 24 as part of yLead‘s drug and alcohol free Schoolies alternative, Help Out. The heartwarming adventure in Cambodia offers graduates an alternative to the typical celebrations as seen on the Gold Coast. Instead, school leavers will spend their week immersed in a new culture as they volunteer as assistant teachers at grass roots community school, Feeding Dreams.

yLead, a not-for-profit association that delivers leadership development experiences to thousands of students across Australia, has seen the demand for Schoolies alternatives continue to grow since running their first trip to New Zealand in 2011. yLead believe in the importance of empowering young people by providing them with a choice of experiences.

The organisation currently runs drug and alcohol free Schoolies alternatives in New Zealand and Cambodia with the hope of introducing further trips to give school leavers a range of options.
New South Wales school leaver, Alison Mordue, who is part of the group heading to Cambodia this month, was looking for an opportunity to become a great community leader.

“Exploring Cambodia will be like exploring a whole new world for me, embracing culture and lifestyle. But most of all I am excited to help the people and the community.”

Tour Leader and CEO of yLead, Belinda Yorston, says, “There is no doubt that these Schoolies alternatives give school leavers a head start in life. The personal growth I witness over the trip is amazing. They finish their week of celebrations with lifelong friends, a new appreciation for the world, a greater understanding of who they are and an experience they will actually remember!”

We are extremely proud of Emma, Jessica and Kayla who graduate this year. Their decision to embark on this alternative to the traditional Schoolies week will no doubt provide a fun and meaningful experience. They have been, and we are sure will continue to be, valuable contributing members of our Community. Their compassion and commitment are a credit to us all.